University of Delaware Scraps Data Center Plans

DOVER, Del. (AP)- University of Delaware officials said Thursday that they are pulling the plug on plans for development of a data center at the former Chrysler assembly plant site in Newark.

In a statement issued by the university, officials said an internal working group concluded that the proposed facility, which included a 279-megawatt power plant, was not consistent with plans for its Science, Technology and Advanced Research, or STAR campus.

"The university is committed to providing economic development opportunities for the region and state.... We have carefully examined The Data Centers' plans, and have determined that they are not a good fit for the STAR campus," said UD President Patrick Harker.

The Data Centers LLC, based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, had proposed building a 900,000-square-foot data center complex with an onsite combined heat and power cogeneration facility.

Messages seeking comment from TDC were not immediately returned Thursday.

The project was supported by Gov. Jack Markell as a jobs creator but drew fierce local opposition from many Newark residents, mostly over concerns about property values and noise, safety and environmental concerns related to the power plant.

"We are glad that the University of Delaware has seen the light," said Jennifer Wallace, a spokeswoman for Newark Residents Against the Power Plant, a grassroots group whose efforts included a legal challenge to local zoning decisions related to the project

"We have shown that a community can come together to make a difference, and that's powerful," Wallace said.

Markell administration officials did not immediately respond to email requests for comment.

The university in 2012 signed a 75-year land lease with TDC that provided for further detailed review by both parties.

"During the spring and summer of 2013, information emanating from TDC suggested that their plans were evolving with greater emphasis being placed on power generation and selling excess energy to the grid, changes that on the surface might not align with the vision for the STAR campus," university officials said.

The university subsequently appointed a working group to evaluate the project's impact on the STAR campus and surrounding community. In findings released Thursday, the group expressed concern about several issues related to the power plant, including its size, efficiency and emissions.

"There were no issues with the data center.... It was really about the power plant," said Charlie Riordan, head of UD's working group.

Riordan noted that the proposed 279-megawatt facility was more than twice the size of any comparable facility found by the group's consultants.

"It was going to be emitting very large quantities of both greenhouse gases and other environmental pollutants that certainly would have negative effects ... and would be at odds with the university's commitment to sustainability," he said.

University officials also said TDC had made "numerous changes" to its plans and generally provided only "scant" information in response to requests regarding physical, technical, and environmental aspects of the proposed facility.

"TDC stated that its plans continue to be in the conceptual rather than design stage and subject to change. Unfortunately, this meant that detailed evaluation of most environmental impacts ... was not possible," the university said.

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

Details were limited, but from the photos provided it was clear to see the extensive damage caused by a fire inside a mobile home early Sunday morning at Malone's Bayside Marina in Millsboro. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company posted a few photos on their Facebook page that showed the heavy flames and smoke. According to an update on the page, the fire appeared to be under control just after 5:30 Sunday morning, but the photos show the mobile home is a complete loss.

Details were limited, but from the photos provided it was clear to see the extensive damage caused by a fire inside a mobile home early Sunday morning at Malone's Bayside Marina in Millsboro. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company posted a few photos on their Facebook page that showed the heavy flames and smoke. According to an update on the page, the fire appeared to be under control just after 5:30 Sunday morning, but the photos show the mobile home is a complete loss.